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Multichannel Approach to Clustering Matter

An approach is developed, combining the ideas of quantum statistical mechanics and multichannel theory of scattering, for treating statistical systems whose constituents can possess different bound states realized as compact clusters. The main principles for constructing multichannel cluster Hamiltonians are formulated: principle of statistical correctness, principle of cluster coexistence, and principle of potential scaling. The importance of the principle of statistical correctness is emphasized by showing that when it does not hold the behaviour of thermodynamic functions becomes essentially distorted. And moreover, unphysical instabilities can appear. The ideas are carefully illustrated by a statistical model of hot nuclear matter.